PREVALENCE OF POTENTIAL RESPIRATORY-DISEASE BACTERIA IN CHILDREN IN ETHIOPIA - ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE PATHOGENS AND USE OF ANTIBIOTICS AMONG THE CHILDREN

Acute respiratory infections are primary causes of morbidity and morta lity in children in developing countries. This project was designed to investigate antimicrobial susceptibility of respiratory tract pathoge ns isolated from children in rural and city areas, and to contribute t o the rational choice of antibiotics for respiratory tract infections in children in Ethiopia. Nasopharynx and throat cultures were taken fr om all children under five years of age in three study areas represent ing different levels of contact with health care and accessibility to modern drugs, such as antibiotics. In all, 1126 children were cultured . Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae were both found in 85-90% of the children, and beta-haemolytic streptococci group A in 12%. The level of antimicrobial resistance was low. None of the 954 s trains of H. influenzae were beta-lactamase producers. Pneumococci wer e susceptible to penicillin. The use of antibiotics was also low; 11 o f 1126 children had antibiotics on the day of culture or the-day befor e. The choice of antibiotics was not limited by resistance, and emphas is could be put on low cost, minimizing adverse drug reactions and eco logical impact.